Although for Taylor, football seems to be about fun, fitness and friends, she is building potential inside herself, as well as creating an example for other girls about what is possible when you go after what you want. Perhaps she doesn't see that just yet. But I think she will.

Rob Bridges was among the many visitors to Vancouver this week that reminded me why the Grey Cup matters. A proud Hamiltonian, Bridges travelled more than 4,300 kilometres to cheer on his hometown team, despite the fact they were overwhelming underdogs.

Even though the absence of the home team in the 102nd Grey Cup may disappoint fans in Vancouver, the city's mayor is still upbeat about the CFL championship game that takes place this weekend. It's an event that will entertain residents and visitors alike, mayor Gregor Robertson promised during a press conference on Wednesday.

What's lost in all this is that a woman was beaten unconscious and was ignored because we apparently love sports more than we have compassion for others. No player, no matter how famous or rich, should be excluded from full punishment, counseling, and reconciliation. No woman, no matter who her abuser is, should be shamed into silence, isolation, or fear. If you're a sports fan or not, please join with me in demanding better from those who flood our TVs and ask us to love them. The people who make millions of dollars for our entertainment aren't immune to our criticism and should be held to the highest of standards. The sports world is an amazing place with amazing people but we can and must do better than this.

Sunday was probably just great for Saskatchewan. Just grrrreeeeaaaaaaat. I'm sure they were really happy. But I'm sad. As a born Winnipegger with blue bombed blood, I'm sad often, especially when it comes to football. My Bombers are bad and getting worse.

You may have heard that there was a football game being played in Regina this weekend. Tens of thousands of fans descend upon Mosaic Stadium to cheer on the home team at Taylor Field. There might have been people there cheering for the other team, but I'll go out on a short limb and say they were a minority.

While many NFL fans might consider it bush league, CFL fans argue Canadian football provides a more interesting and quicker game. One thing cannot be denied -- CFL fans may be the most loyal fans in Canada. It's time to evaluate CFL fandemonium in the run up to the Grey Cup.

Montreal and Vancouver have already received major stadium renovations. Hamilton, Winnipeg and Ottawa are all getting or have already opened beautiful, brand new ones. Let's protect our heritage, build for the future and get the ball rolling for Toronto. I guarantee that ball will produce an Argo bounce.

Despite much fanfare over PSY's halftime performance and the fact that Rogers Communications -- who brought the team to Toronto -- had an entire year to market a single NFL game, the Buffalo Bills drew a crowd this past Sunday at SkyDome of just 40,770. Toronto does have NFL fans. But at the end of the day, Canadians (including southern Ontarians) prefer our game to the one played south of the border.

What I find particularly interesting about the Canadian Football League -- our league -- is that it often reflects Canada's political, economic and ideational condition. As Canada completes its celebration of the 100th Grey Cup, it is a particularly timely moment to examine "Canada-Toronto relations."